The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 7 Aug 2007

07.08.2007 First Victory of Mahiliou Donors in Struggle for Benefits

According to a honorary donor, one of the founders of the Fund of Plasma and Blood Donors Drop of Life Ihar Kavalenka, the Soviet of Ministers decided to preserve 40% pension bonus to donors. It is one of the reasons because of which the donors will now abstain from a termless strike. However, the question of termless strike is still open and will be discussed at an assembly of donors.

07.08.2007 BPF Youth Try to Break through Wall of Official Prohibitions

Minsk officials persistently continue prohibiting pickets against repeal of benefits. However, one of Minsk citizens decided to break through this wall. It is Siarzhuk Semianiuk, deputy chair of the council of the youth wing Belarusian People’s Front, BPF Youth.

07.08.2007 Brest: Trade Union Holds Picket against Repeal of Social Benefits

The picket was held by the Belarusian Trade Union of Radio Electronic Trade. According to the trade union’s press secretary Mikalai Herasimenka, the picket was authorized by the authorities and took place at Lakamatyu stadium, 4.30 to 7 p.m. At 5 p.m. there gathered about 25 persons of different age and social background: students, workers and pensioners, including several representatives of the Party of Communists of Belarus. The picketers protested also against the increase of the fees for public utilities, the contract system and low pensions.

07.08.2007 Single Mother and Her Daughter to Become Homeless Because of Presidential Decree?

Everyday Natallia Kastsianevich and her 12-year-old daughter Ania wake up with the thought that they soon can become homeless as the state takes away their two-room apartment in Pryshynskikh Street in Minsk.

07.08.2007 Hrodna: Riot Police Break Arm to Aliaksandr Shumkevich

On 28 July, at a live performance of Okean Elzy Ukrainian rock band in Hrodna the riot police violently beat Aliaksandr Shumkevich, a leader of the youth structure of United Civil Party, Young Democrats, and broke one of his arms. The incident took place 15 minutes to the end of the action, when several youth activists unfolded a white-red-white flag and raised it above the crowd.

07.08.2007 Homel: Court Upholds Prohibition of Picket against Repeal of Benefits

On 1 June Homel activists of the Party of Communists of Belarus intended to hold a picket against repeal of benefits. However, Homel city executive committee did not authorize the action. As a result the party members sued the committee. Tsentralny borough court of Homel found the refusal of the committee to authorize action legal. Bear in mind that during the last three months the city authorities refused to authorize different pickets and meetings five times.

07.08.2007 Minsk City Court Satisfies Suit of Expelled Student

On 15 May 2007 a four-year student Yury Aleinik was expelled from the Management Academy of the president of Belarus for alleged truancy. During his study Aleinik demonstrated an excellent progress. He stated that the expulsion was a revenge for his public position and political views. In April 2007 he participated in collection of signatures under a public appeal to the Chamber of Representatives for saving of social benefits to students. The activist also chairs Minsk regional organization of Frantsysk Skaryna Belarusian Language Society.

07.08.2007 Homel: Trade Union Activist Demands Disproval of Libel about His Son

Leanid Sudalenka, a legal expert with the Union of Electronic Industry Workers, has demanded that a state-run newspaper in the Homel region should retract what he calls a libelous story about his son.

07.08.2007 Will Belarus Be Sold out?

Recently Belarus has sold an enterprise to a foreign investor without sticking to the majority stock. Experts treat this case as a possible scenario for the forthcoming Belarusian privatization.

07.08.2007 Flash-mob in Uruccha Suburb of Minsk

At 1 p.m. on 4 August a flash-mob of solidarity with those who suffered for their viewpoints and principles from the Belarusian police actions was held in the Uruchcha suburb of Minsk.

07.08.2007 Reporters Without Borders: Alarm over Lukashenka’s Threat to Put End to Online ‘Anarchy’

Reporters Without Borders voiced deep concern about President Aliaksandr Lukashenka’s comments during a visit to the state-owned daily Ыovetskaya Belorussiya, when he said the government planned to increase its control of the Internet and ‘put an end to the anarchy’ online.